Tribune News Service

New Delhi, August 6

The Centre and the Opposition again faced off on farmers’ issues on Friday with leaders of 12 likeminded non-BJP parties demanding repeal of the three agriculture reform legislations and the government saying it was always open to talks with the protesters.

“The government engaged itself actively with the agitating farm unions to end the protests and 11 rounds of talks were held to resolve issues. However, the unions never agreed to discuss the farm laws except for demanding their repeal. The government is always open to discussion,” Agriculture Minister Narendra Tomar told Parliament.

The Opposition leaders, however, insisted that the laws be annulled. After meeting farmers at ‘Kisan Sansad’ (farmers’ parliament) at Jantar Mantar, Congress leader and MP Rahul Gandhi said, “We are here to express our full solidarity with the farmers.” Gandhi said the Opposition wanted to discuss farmers’ and Pegasus snooping issues in Parliament, but was not being allowed.

“The PM has entered everyone’s phone through Pegasus spyware. We want a discussion, but the government is not allowing us,” said Gandhi, accompanied by leaders of Shiv Sena (Sanjay Raut), NC (Hasnain Masoodi), CPM (Elamaram Kareem), CPI (Binoy Viswam), RSP (NK Premchandran), RJD (Manoj Jha), DMK (Tiruchi Siva), NCP, SP, IUML and LJD.

Discuss legislations

The government held 11 rounds of talks with farmers to resolve issues. The unions are adamant on repeal of laws. — Narendra Tomar, Agriculture Minister

Repeal farm laws

We are here to express our full and complete solidarity with the farmers. The black farm laws must be repealed. — Rahul Gandhi, Congress MP

‘Renegotiate Indus Water Treaty with Pak’

• The parliamentary standing committee on water resources in its report asked the government to take necessary diplomatic steps and renegotiate the Indus Water Treaty with Pakistan keeping in mind the impact of climate change on water availability in the river basin.
• It said India must constantly monitor Chinese actions to offset possibilities of major interventions in Brahmaputra. TNS